Other than the fact that Rick Recht had never been to Jewish camp, never worked with kids, and never played or written any Jewish music, he was the perfect choice to be a Jewish summer camp song leader.
Recht was recruited to the job by his student and now wife, Elisa Heiligman, who grew up in Kansas City and attended the Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy before settling in St. Louis after graduate school at Washington University.
“She was taking guitar lessons from me,” said Recht, “because she couldn’t find any song leaders in St. Louis and she wasn’t going to run camp without music. During the lessons, she jokingly bugged me about being the song leader. I typically took a few weeks off at the beginning of the summer and thought I’d try it out.”
Power of music
“It became clear to me almost immediately that music was a means, not an end. That it could be a vehicle that transcends intellectual barriers to spirituality. The idea that music could have this great a power in people’s lives was really exciting to me as a Jew, as a teacher and as a musician.”
When camp ended, Recht continued nationwide touring with the rock band he had been part of since college at the University of Southern California, but quit after a few months to build a studio in his basement. In 1999, he produced his first Jewish album, “Tov,” comprising songs he wrote that first summer at camp. The next summer, after playing 50 Jewish summer camps and reaching more than 30,000 kids, Recht knew his career was headed in a whole new direction.
Eight top-selling Jewish albums later, Recht is excited about his upcoming PJ Library gig in Kansas City for children 6 months through 8 years old and their families from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 9, at the Jewish Community Campus. For the first time he’ll perform in concert songs from his latest album, “Look at Me.” Admission is free. For those not familiar with his music, songs from his albums can be heard at www.rickrecht.com.
Many in the audience at The PJ Library concert will recognize these songs. “The timing is perfect,” says Recht, “because ‘Look at Me’ was just distributed to 15,000 kids around the country for Chanukah through The PJ Library.”
The PJ Library
The PJ Library program was created by the Harold Grinspoon Foundation to support families in their Jewish journey. It does so by sending free, high-quality Jewish-themed books and music every month to children ages 6 months to 8 years. The Jewish Federation of Greater Kansas City launched The PJ Library here in March 2008. Today, more than 875 local families participate in the program, which features group activities throughout the year in addition to providing books and music and presenting an annual free concert.
Recht, whose “Free to Be the Jew in Me” album has been delivered to thousands of PJ Library families and who will be the artist-in-resident at The PJ Library’s national conference in April, is also part of a PJ Library family.
“We have two sons, Kobi, 9, and Tal, 6,” said Recht. “The PJ Library has really enriched our lives. These books kept coming each month and the next thing we knew we had a Jewish library in our home!”
Relevant Judaism
Recht’s commitment to Jewish music and education entered a new phase last fall with the launch of Jewish Rock Radio (www.jewishrockradio.com) by Judaism Alive, the nonprofit Recht founded to strengthen Jewish identity and connection for youth through their love of music, musical instruments and online interaction. Jewish Rock Radio features a variety of music from Jewish rock artists, as well as interviews with youth sharing fresh, exciting ways they are engaging in Jewish life.
Recht sees love of music, online interaction and high-quality media as integral to the future of a relevant Judaism. “At Jewish Rock Radio, we’re using the media that Jewish youth are using in their daily lives,” he says. “This has been a vivid reality in the Christian world for decades, and now the Jewish world can experience this powerful vehicle for strengthening Jewish identity and connection.
“Youth are our greatest litmus test for what’s working and not working. They vote with their feet and they’re brutally honest. Youth are experiencing high quality and excellence in every area of their lives. When it comes to Judaism, they should expect no less.”
Meet Rick Recht
Middle and high schoolers will have the opportunity to meet Rick Recht in person from 6 to 6:30 p.m. Jan. 9. The meet and greet will take place after the children’s concert, and will be in the Social Hall of the Jewish Community Campus. Since the earlier concert is open only to children ages 8 or younger, the meet and greet is a great opportunity for teenagers to meet with Recht while he visits Kansas City.
